.: Welcome to my blog :.

I'm John R. "Buck" Surdu. I have two Web pages that contain relatively static information about my professional life (including papers I've written) and my hobby life (including information about rules I've written and my wargaming projects). This blog is where I plan to post personal tidbits, like vacation pictures, wargaming projects, etc. Enjoy!

You could lament the rain, or you could come to Barrage 2018. We have spacious, free, paved parking right next to the convention venue. You’ll barely get your feet wet. And it is easy to carry your loot from the deals and flea markets to your car and come back for more!

These four soldiers would rather be at Barrage 2018 in just FOUR days.

Barrage 2018 is in just FOUR days, 28-29 September 2018. Don’t miss this excellent two-day gaming event with over 70 events, a third of which are kid friendly. Find more information and signup at www.hawks-barrage.org. This is the best small convention in the region.

And don’t miss out on a chance to see the vendors who will be at Barrage 2018:

These five space mercenary women are headed to Barrage 2018 in five days!

Barrage 2018, run by the Harford Area Weekly Kriegspielers (HAWKs) is just FIVE days away. These TWO DAYS of non-stop gaming are just around the corner. Don’t miss this terrific event. There are lots of games that are kid-friendly, so bring your younger gamer and build some memories. Go to www.hawks-barrage.org for more details, directions, local hotels, and to sign up.

The countdown has begun. Seven Russian soldiers represent seven days left to Barrage 2018, 28 and 29 September in Havre de Grace, Maryland. See www.hawks-barrage.org for more information and to sign up.

Several of us in the HAWKs have decided to focus on Barbarossa for a number of our convention scenarios in 2019. Chris will likely run a number of LSNC 1941 games, and I’ll be focusing on Combat Patrol(TM) skirmish games. I have recently completed these two tanks and a squad of infantry in great coats.

Tamiya KV-1 with Artisan Russian soldiers in greatcoats.

Tamiya KV-II with Artisan Russians in greatcoats

I started with Army Painter angel green and then applied a quick shade wash. When I then sprayed the vehicles with Army Painter anti-shine matte finish, i got some crazing effects on the paint. This is the second time this has happened to me, so there is some interaction between the Army Painter quick shade and anti-shine matte finish that I don’t understand.

Don’t miss out on a all the fun of Barrage. The schedule is nearly full, but there is still room for you — either as a game master or as a participant. See www.hawks-barrage.org for more details.

Barrage, run by the Harford Area Weekly Kriegspielers (HAWKs) is the finest small convention in this part of the country. Over 70 events! Three tournaments! Good food on premises at reasonable prices! Vendors! Flea market tables!

Back in the good old days, Ral Partha made ONE set of figures, called Roomans. These were anthropomorphized kangaroos with spears and shields. For some reason, the quirkiness of them always appeared to me, and whenever I found a pack in a bin, I would pick it up. Over time, I amassed a pretty sizable collection of them. We have just learned that the current owner of the molds is fixing up the master and is getting ready to re-release them. I also hope that means that new poses will be coming soon. You can click these images to enlarge them.

A Rooman phalanx lead by my airborne-qualified Rooman commander

Rooman swordsmen

Rooman Gatling Gun crew with musketeers

Rooman crossbowmen

I am excited to hear these will be available soon, and I hope this means that additional poses and weapons will be available soon as well.